Hobby Lobby Controversy

I’ve been thinking about all this controversy surrounding Hobby Lobby, and I’ve (until now) kept quiet about it.  However after having a “friend” tear me apart because I said, “Hobby Lobby and I are friends “I believe I will speak my mind.   This person said that Hobby Lobby was forcing their beliefs on their employees.  Really? First, I would like to know How Hobby Lobby is doing this- Is someone forcing them to work there?  I would say to that employee the same thing I would say to anyone else.  Don’t work for a place that you find does not line up with your own belief system.  For example, I do not drink so I will not work for a place that sells alcoholic beverages and if, for some reason, you find yourself in a job where you don’t agree with their belief system; quit!- no one is forcing you to work there.  I work for a major retail company, and they expect their employees to line up with their policies.    Second, what about the beliefs of the company? Do they not have any rights?  If the individual has rights, then so should the company.  They should have the right not to have to pay for Health care in which they do not believe.  By the way, I also believe that goes for the individual. The fact is I don’t believe my tax money should pay for abortions; which go against my moral convictions.  I can’t legislate someone else’s morality (nor would I) but please don’t ask me to help you be immoral.  I say the same thing applies to a company such as Hobby Lobby also. That CEO is acting on his conviction that killing an unborn baby in wrong and he should not have to assist someone commit an immoral act.  So I applaud Hobby Lobby and wish that more workplaces would stand with them.  I hope that I have not offended anyone too much and those that truly know me know that I condemn no one, but I do hate sin.

Cellphone Etiquette

 When I was growing up, we were taught that there was such a thing as phone etiquette.  You know rules for answering, returning, and calling people.  However in our day of cellphones and "texting", it occurs to me that someone needs to spell out what is acceptable and not acceptable to do on the cell phone.  

So here are my suggestions:

• o    Don’t text and drive.  This goes without saying.  For obvious reasons this is dangerous. It's also illegal in many states
• o   Don’t text or play games on a phone while you are walking. Again for obvious reasons this is dangerous. you may walk into people or into a street.
• o   Turn your cell phone off or silence it when in churches, theaters, concerts or other similar events.  Your phone will distract and disrupt others; and it could interfere with sound systems.
• o   If you are in a restaurant, turn the cell phone down or off.  If it goes off, it may not bother you, but it may bother those around you.  If it goes off in a place like this, use an inside voice or move to some place without background noises.  We really have little interest in your conversation.
• o   If you are in a place that requires your attention and or instructions such as a check out at a store, a deli, or any other place of business please be respectful and don’t make others wait for you to finish your conversation before they can serve you.  These people often have other customers also and you are making everyone else wait.  You can either mute the call; or do some other things while you finish your call.  If you do this, then others don’t have to interrupt you to see to your needs.
• o   If someone texts or calls on a business related call, please have the courtesy to return the call.  This is especially true if they got an answering machine.  They may need to know that you got the call or text so they can plan accordingly.
• o   If you are in school, leave the cell phone off during class.  This applies even to a study hall.

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I know this is not exhaustive, but these are just a few of my own thoughts and suggestions.  Feel free to share them if you find them helpful.